knepv.
regional.
intransitive and transitive = knap v.2
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > processes or manners of eating > eat via specific process [verb (transitive)] > nibble or gnaw
gnawa1000
bitec1250
nibblea1500
knabble1580
knepa1642
knuba1652
nab1653
chumble1821
natter1862
a1642 H. Best Farming & Memorandum Bks. (1984) 124 Horses,..are on the mendinge hand when they kneppe one with another.
1763 ‘T. Bobbin’ Toy-shop (new ed.) 42 Os greadly o Lad as needs t' knep oth' Hem of a Keke.
1828 W. Carr Dial. Craven (ed. 2) Knep, knipe, to crop with the teeth, to bite easily.
1855 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Yorks. Words 98 ‘They [sick cattle] are nobbut just yabble to knep a bit’, only able to eat a little at a time.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online September 2021).
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v.a1642